Cabinet for electric switches



Juney 9, 1925.

F'.l E. MoNsoN CABINET FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed July 15 Patented June 9, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE. g

PAUL E. I'MIONSON, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO BRYSON D. HOBTC,OF

' DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

CABINET FOR EEEGIRIC SWITCHES.

Application med my is, reis. serial No. 245,114'.

To 'all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, PAUL E. MoNsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at .Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cabinets forElectric Switches, of which the'following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cabinets for electric switchesof the knife type. Among the objects which I' accomplish by the use ofmy improved cabinet is to so arrange the cabinet and switch that underordinaryl operating conditions the latter cannot be closed while thecabinet is 'open, or the cabinet vib,e opened while the switchisclose'd. "In" other' words, the cabinet and switch so interlock thatit-is necessary to open the switch in-or'der to gain ac- ,20 cessto'theinterior of the cabinet and whenonce the cabinet is opened theswitch cannot be closed until the cabinet is closed and l'ocked.Furthermore, the device is,so arranged that the switch can be locked inits open position when the b`o x `is closed.

A further object is to so constructy the door or cover ofthe cabinetthat it may be hinged either on one of the side walls or one of the endwalls and that when it is open it swings entirely clear vof the cabinetallowing plenty of room for locking in the conduits, renewingfuses ortesting the wiring.

' With these and other objects in view as will hereinafter appear inthe' specification it will be seen that my invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, combinations and arrangementsI of partsherein 'described and more specifically pointed out in the appendedclaims. l

Reference Abeing had to the drawings forming a part of thisspecification,

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved switch .cabinetwith the door switch and operating mechanism.' y;

Figure 2 is a viewl/in section through the cabinet showing the' switchand' locking mechanism positioned as when the covenis r closed. i Figure3 is a sectional view through the door ofthe cabinet and the lockingmecha- Figure 4 is a sectional view throu h the locking mechanism on aplane at rig t angles to Figure 3.

open disclosing the arrangement of the.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showlng a modified form oflocking mechamsm. l

Figure 6 is a view in transverse section of the modified lockingmechanism.

Fi re 7 is a view. similar to -Figure 3 showing a modification fordouble-throw switches. l

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a key-like member used to disable thevinterlocking mechanism. Referring to corresponding partsi of theIseveral views by the same numerals of reference 1 denotes a rectan ularcasing or box having the ycover 2. 'I is cover as here illustrated, ishinged' to one of the side walls as at 13 andis constructed with theflange 1li-around its entire periphery. This 'iiange -is adapted toextend partly. down on .the

walls of the cabinet to prevent any possibility of hot sparks flying outof the cabinet through the crack around the cover. On theoutside of lthecover is attached an eye 19 or-other suitable means by which the sameymay be handled and on the inside is attached an e e 16 the 4opening 17therein being Av'engagefi bythe locking mechanism when thev cover-isclosed.

The cabinet comprises the base 3, the end walls and 5 and the side walls6 and 7. Attached to the 4bottom 3, is'the base 8 of an ordinary knifeswitch,l the blades 9 of which are connected bythe insulating yoke 10. Ihave here illustrated the cabinet as f \being provided with openings inthe end 9 9 walls 4 and 5 through which extend' the` wiring conduits 11,which yconduits are held in place b means of the locking nut-s 12v.

The lock mechanism denoted' generally by 18 is riveted to the inside ofone of the side walls and comprises a-casing 20 wherein isv pivotallymounted an oscillative plate 21.

,This member isprovided with the arcuatey The widthof plate-21 is lessthan that of 105k the. eye 16 and oscillatively mounted along-v side Qfthis; plate is a bell-crank lever 25 having an arm. 26 which liesalongsideof member, 21 and at certain times is posiv tioned over theopening 23. This is urged lnotch 32 is provided an arm 29 which extendsbelow the casing 20 forming a recess 34 for the reception of thecross-bar 28 of the locking lever 35.

This lever within'fthe casing, is'U-shaped having the portion 28extending across the,

casing and having the ends pivotally mountf ed in the side walls thereofas shown at 36 and 37. The end which extends through the side walls at37 is then bent parallel to the side wall andonthe end ,is providedwitl` an eye' 38 that forms a gri the lever and also for loc ing thesame, under certain conditions. The locking lever is preferably pivotedin the side walls on an axis in alinement with the Aaxes of the knifeblades 9 and the cross-bar 28 is connected to the switch yoke 10 bymeans of a slotted member 40.V

In'use when the iid is closed, the eye 16 depresses arm 26 of thebell-crank 25 and withdraws the finger .31 from slot 32. This freesplate 21 so that by moving the'locking lever the cross-bar pushes theplate around as it moves toward the switch base,

causing the hook 22 to engage the opening in eye 16. Thus the lid iseffectively locked whenthe switch is closed. 4

To open the box it is necessary by means of the locking lever, todisengage the switch blades from the clips and rotate the crossbar`until it enters recess 34 and then to move it a further distance untilthe hook is disengaged rom the eye.` Then when the lid is opened thefinger 31 enters slot 32 and so prevents further movement ot the plate.At this time the recess 34 is substantially in a vertical position sothat the cross-bar 28 cannot be withdrawn therefrom in either di-Vrection. This etfectivelyprevents any further movement of the switch solong as the cover is open.

Intheform of my device as shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, when thedoor is open the switch may be released from the locking mechanism andclosed by inserting a small tool through the opening 23 and pressingdown the arm 26 until the member 21 is free to rotate. The switch maythen be closed with the cover open which is desirable for the purpose oftesting contact between the switch blades and clips. That the switch maybe released in the manner above defor operating scribed Vis not aserious objection but is rather an advantage, but in order to absolutelyrevent'the switch from being closed while t e door is open by anyoneother than a person providedl with a proper key, I provide a modiiedform of lock mechanism as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8.

In this arrangement the switch and lock ing lever 35 arethe same as thatpreviously described, the' diierence being in the locking mechanism. Thelatter comprises a casing 50 wherein is pivotally mounted the lock'plate51 whichis provided with arms l52 and 53 corresponding in function withthe arms 22 and 29 of. plate 21. Likewise, a recess 54 is formedcorresponding to the recess 34 and which is likewise adapted to receivethe cross bar 28 of the operating lever.

On each side of the member 51 is mounted a three arm lever 56 theforward arms'57 of which correspond in function to the arm 26 of thesimpler' form and which are normallyadapted lto be rotated by suitablemeans attached to thelid of the box. The arms 58 are arranged tocooperate with abutments 59 on the opposite 'surfaces of member 51 and aslot 60 is provided between the abutmentsto'allow rotation of the platewhen the levers are properly positioned. It will be noted that the armsV58 are curved on an arc the center of which is i'nl the axis of plate51. 'The other arms 61 are provided for attaching springs 63, theopposite ends of which 'are attached to an arm 62 on the' member 51. Onthe front of plate 51 is provided a stop 64 which contacts with thecasing and prevents the disengagementcf the cross-bar 28 from slot 54 inthe wrong direction.

In this form of the device the eye 66vwhich projects into the lockcasing is provided with lugs71 whicharc spaced to correspond with theangle of the arms 57 Iso that when the door is closed these lugs pressdown on the arms 57 rotating the corresponding levers a suicientdistance that the arms 58 are positioned exactly opposite the slot 60between the abutments 59.

I prefer to construct this eye as a conlill) tinuation of plate 65 onthe outside of the lid and which is securely riveted thereto. On theoutside of plate 65 is an eye 19 which serves as a handle and forlocking the switch open when the lid is closed.

ythe interlocking device. In other words,

the lof my invention in this respect resides/1n utilizing a deviceresembling a key in form or function, that is, key-like, whereby aninterlocky may'- be disabled through the use-of such `a means only. vForexample. such a key may. embody a peculiarly shaped socket rtion adaptedto cooperate with a comp ementary portion .on one of the in-aterlockingmembers This prevents the interlock from being disabled byunauthorized persons who may try to disable the interlock with some sortof tool, because, as my invention contemplates complementary portions inthe interlocking device and on .an instrument which I have designated askey-like, it will not be possible'for the ordinary work@ man to normallytamper with and disable the interlock, saidfunauthorized workman not, ofcourse, havin the particular key-like means .which'is designed for usewith theV switch in question. In selling interlock switches embodying myinventionthe manufacturer will sell in addition thereto the key-likedevice through the use of whichL the interlocking mechanism may bedisabled."

In this ,connection I wish it understood that when `I' refer to a keyImean an instrument having Wards, or portions, shaped to fit one of theelements of the particular lock vand `operated by turningv or ushmg Withthlsform of ca inet it is necessary to depress `the levers A56 exactly`the rightamount'before the 'switchcan be operated.. When thefcover ofthe cabinet is open the ends of arms 58,1est against the kabutments.59'so that the late 51 cannot lbe'rotated and therefore t e Voperatinglever niovedv to close the switch. But when the cover is closedv thelugs '(1 depress the lever arms 57 and rotate arms 5.8 the proper amountto position their ends opposite openings 60 and permit rotation of plate51. To adapt myy device for double-thro switches I provide therevolvable plate 21 with two arcuate hooks 22 and 80 pointing inoppostedirections and separated by a distance equal or greater than thethickness of eye .16... The lower edge of this plateiis provided .with anotch 83' formed by' the edges 81 and 82, one of which allows theentrance' of lock-bar 35 fromv one direction,`

-and the other-of which allows its entrance from thel opposite directionlwhen the plate is in its extremeopposite position.

` In' thisform of my device when the-lockbar 35 moves in a clockwisedirection, as'

the View in -Figure 7 the crossbar thereof-4 contacts with the edge 81and further moven mentcauses yplatef21 to be rotated'. Now

116.and the notch 83 `is symmetrically disposed with respect to avertical line through the pivotal axis of plate 21.

The covercan then opened which allows finger 31'to'enter slot 32 and solock plate 21. Now when held in this position, the edges 81 and .82preventfmovement ofthe bar 35 in either direction,l and henceftheswitchV cannotbe closed.'

If it is desired to close the switch in the opposite side,l then afterthe cover is-closed bar 35 is further rotated-in a clockwise directionand pushes aside the edge 8l which rotates plate 21 and causes hook 80to .en-A

gage the opening of eyev 16. When this has taken place yther plate hasmovedthrough a sufficient angle that the edge 81 releases the lockingbar and the switch may be closed.

While I have described Vbut two embodiments of my invention, it isapparent that many modiiications thereinlmay occur to those skilledinthe art without departing from the spirit of this invention, and Idesire, therefore, that the same be j limited only by the prior art orby the scope of the appended .claims I claim as new and wish ters Patenty ,Y

l. A switch device comprisingin combinatipn with an electrical switch,af cabinet,

to cover by Let- 'a h1nged 'cover therefor a U-shaped lever having itsends pivotally ymounted in the` side walls'ofsaid-cabinet and' havingone end extending therethrough to forman operating handle, vmeansoperatively connecting lsaid lever and said switch, a lock mechanism, aneye attached. y.to said cover and' adapted to'be engaged by said lockmechanism, an arm extendin from said lock' when said/lever is moved toopen'and'close said switch, said p late having a recess adapt-lsaidlever, an interlocking ed to ienga eI lever to holsaid plate whensaid cover is open, and means ca'rriedby said cover for releasing saidinterlocking lever. n

'3. A device [of themcharacter described comprising a cabinet, a covertherefor, an electricswitch within said cabinet, an operating lever for.said switch movable from the outside of the cabinet, a lock mechanismattached to said cabinet, an eyeon said cover adapted to be engaged bysaid lock, said lock comprising a, pivotally mounted plate, an armextending therefrominto 'the fpath of said lever, said'plate having arecess adapted to embrace said lever, a hook 13u l on said p lateadapted to engagesaid eye,

and an interlocking lever-to hold said plate when said eyeis disengagedfrom` said lock.

et.' The"combination with a switch cabinet, an electric switch therein,and a hinged cover therefor, an operatin lever for opening and closingsaid switc i, a lock mechanism for said cover operable by the movementof said lever, interlocking means embodied in said lock for holding saidswitch and lever in their open `position when said i cover is open, andmeans comprising `a keyl said cover closed when said switch is closed,

like member for disabling said lock where-' by the switch can be closed.while the cover is open, said last means having a portion adapted tocooperate with a complementary part of the interlocking means wherebysaid disablement may be normally effected through the use ofsaidkey-like means only.

5. .The combination with a switch cabinet, an electric switch therein,and a hinged cover therefor, an operating lever for opening and closingsaid switch, a lockmechanism for said cover operable by the movement ofsaid lever, said lock mechanism being protected by a casing whereby' itis substantially inaccessible, interlocking means embodied in said lockfor holdingl said switch and lever in their open position .when saidcover isopen and for holding and means comprising. a lkey-like memberinsertable through said lock casing to en' gage and disable saidinterlock.

6. The combination with a 'switch cabinet, an electric Aswitch therein,and a hinged cover tlierefor,an operating lever for opening and closingthe switch, a lockmechanism for said cover operable by the moveopen andwhereby the cover cannot be opened when the switch' is in either of itson positions land means for disabling the interlocking mechanism.

8. In a doublekthrow switch having a casing provided with a cover, aninterlocking member, meansl for holding said member in position wherebythe switch cannot be closed in either direction -While the cover isopen, means on the cover for releasing said first named means to allowoperation of the switch to either of its on positions,

Vsaid-means embodied in a casing having an means associated with saidinterlocking member whereby the cover cannotbe opened when the switch isin either of its on positions and means comprising a key for disablingthe interlocking mechanism.

95 In an enclosed switch, the combination of an interlocking cover and aswitch mechanism whereby normally the cover can not be opened until theswitch is opened and the switch can not be closed until the cover mentmay be normally effected through the use of said key-like means only.

l0. In an enclosed switch having a casing provided with a cover,linterlocking means adapted to'lock said switch while the vcover is open,andkey-likc means for disabling saidI interlocking means, said keylikemeans having a portion adapted to cooperate with a complementary part ofthe interlocking means whereby said disablement may be normally effectedtlirough'the use of said key-'like means only.

l1. In combination, a switch and a housing therefor, a vmovable coverforsaid housing, means lying within said housing ad- Jacent to said coverfor locking said cover in closed position while said switch is closed,

opening in the side facing said cover, and means for passing throughsaid opening to disable said locking means, said vmeans bein speciallyformed and adapted to cooperate with the complementary means within saidcasing.

12. In combination, a switch and a housing therefor, a movable cover forsaid housing, means'lying within said -housing adjacent to said coverfor locking said switch in open position while said cover is open, acasing for enclosing said means and rendering the same substantiallyinaccessible, and key disabling means having surfaces providing a setengagement with said locking `Iiieans for releasing salid switch.

13. In combination, a switch, a cabinet4 for said switch, a movablecover for said cabinet, lever means for operating said switch, Yaninterlocking element between said cover and saidl lever means forlocking said switchin a predetermined position ,while said cover isopen, engageable elements cooperating with said interlocking element',and 'key disablin means having engageable elements adapte to engagefirst said engageable elements for releasing said switch.

14. In combination, a switch, a cabinet for said switclf, a movablecover for said switch, lever means for operating said' switch, 'aninterlock for preventing the closing moveopened and' for preventing the'opening of said cover while said switch is closed, and key-like meanshaving a plurality of engagng'surfaces for disabling said interlock.

15.1n combination, a switch, a cabinetvv for said switch, a movalolecover for said cabinet, means for operating said s\v1tch,an

interlock between said switch and said cover,

said interlock including a plurality of 10 wards, and key means havinshoulders for engaging said Wards to diss. le said inter-k lock. e,

In testimony whereof I ailix my signture APAUL E. MONSON.

